Mechanical properties and microstructure of polyetheretherketone–hydroxyapatite nanocomposite materials

For the first time the polyetheretherketone (PEEK)–hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocomposite materials were successfully prepared, and their microstructure and mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, load–displacement and Young's modulus, were examined. The specimens laminated by the PEEK–HA composite layers with 5 vol.% and 15 vol.% HA were also successfully made, which gave a promising mechanical strength and a high HA content on the specimen surface. This novel approach should be of significance in manufacturing PEEK–HA biomaterials with both satisfactory mechanical properties and high bioactivity.